ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
PM concludes his visit to Gujarat
Dedicates Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira to the nation
Lays Foundation stone of a Cancer hospital at Navsari
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated L& T Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira to the nation today. He also visited the Complex and showed keen interest in the innovative spirit behind the project. Prime Minister also laid foundation stone of Nirali Cancer Hospital at Navsari. It will benefit people of the region in accessing preventive and curative aspects of cancer treatment.
With this, PM has concluded his visit to Gujarat with Silvassa and Mumbai being the next destinations of the three day visit.
Day 1 of PM visit to Gujarat was marked by the inauguration of the flagship Global Trade Show at the Exhibition centre in the run up to Vibrant Gujarat Summit. PM unveiled the state of art, super-speciality public hospital - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Ahmedabad. Addressing on the occasion, he said that in keeping up with its commitment towards equal opportunity for all and for the development - Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas is the way forward for New India.
Inauguration of Ahmedabad Shopping Festival-2019 at the Sabarmati Riverfront by the PM was yet another attraction. Speaking on the occasion, he said, the Government is constantly working to create a conducive environment for business in the country.
Day-2 of PM visit to Gujarat marked the beginning of three day long Vibrant Gujarat Summit-2019. PM Modi inaugurated the 9th edition of the Summit at Mahatma Mandir Exhibition cum Convention Centre in Gandhinagar. Addressing the Gathering on this occasion, he said doing business with India is a great opportunity.
During this period, bilateral interactions of PM with the visiting President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of Czech Republic Mr. Andrej Babis, Prime Minister of Malta Dr. Joseph Muscat and Prime Minister of Denmark Mr Lars Løkke Rasmussen was in the limelight on 18 January 2019. It was followed by 3D laser projection show at Dandi Kutir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Captains of industry announced a series of investment projects to mark the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.
Prime Minister's Office
PM announces ex-gratia from PMNRF for the victims of mishap in Morbi
 for the victims of the mishap in Morbi.
The Prime Minister's office tweeted;
"PM @narendramodi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the mishap in Morbi. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000."
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
APEDA‘s Export Promotion Drive begins
 in association with State Department of Agriculture Development & Farmer’s welfare, was inaugurated by State Minister of Agriculture, Mr. P Prasad at Thiruvananthapuram today.
Chairman of APEDA, Dr. M. Angamuthu IAS gave key note address in the inauguration ceremony. Dr. Tarun Bajaj, Director, APEDA; Dr. Sudhanshu, Secretary, APEDA; Mr. Ravindra, Deputy General Manager, APEDA also addressed the gathering in the event.
Export Promotion Drive aims to increase the export-oriented production from Kerala by involving farmers, farmer producer organisations & exporters. The objectives of the drive include sensitisation on APEDA’s financial assistance schemes for 2021-22 to 2025-26, Enhancement of export-oriented production and Creating awareness on Natural farming, Organic farming & judicial use of pesticides etc.
As part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Export Promotion Drives in other 13 districts of the state will be organised soon.
President's Secretariat
President of India to Visit Jharkhand from May 24 to 26
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu will visit Jharkhand from May 24 to 26, 2023.
On May 24, 2023, the President will inaugurate the new building of the High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi.
On May 25, 2023, the President will grace a Women Conference organized by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs at Khunti. She will also grace the 2nd convocation of Indian Institute of Information Technology, Ranchi at Namkum, Ranchi. On the same evening, she will attend a civic reception to be hosted in her honour by the Government of Jharkhand at Raj Bhavan, Ranchi.
Ministry of Railways
"Pilgrims must get fast, safe and comfortable leg connectivity beyond BG link with the Char Dhams” - Shri Piyush Goyal
Shri Piyush Goyal Minister for Railways and Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution reviews last mile connectivity plans for Char Dham projects
Final Location Survey  for new BG Rail connectivity to Char Dham i.e. Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath is near completion
"Pilgrims must get fast, safe and comfortable last leg connectivity with the Char Dhams", this was said by Shri Piyush Goyal Minister for Railways and Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution while reviewing the last mile connectivity plans for Char Dham projects.
The Minister directed concerned officials to do a detailed review of all the alternatives keeping in view the comfort and safety of citizens. He said that options of all last leg connectivity be examined along with detailed cost implications for the entire project upto completion.
Minister said that in order to cater to the need of tourism and to make it convenient for the pilgrims to reach the temple safely and timely, a comprehensive planning for project needs to be done.
It may be noted that Final Location Survey  for new BG rail connectivity to Char Dham i.e. Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath is near completion.
Kedarnath and Badrinath Rail connectivity will take off from Karnaprayag station which is part of 125 km long Rishikesh -Karnaprayag new BG Rail line project under construction at full swing. Gangotri and Yamunotri Rail connectivity will take off from existing Doiwala Station. As per Char Dham BG Rail connectivity survey, the terminal station of new BG Rail line are terminating at Barkot, Uttarkashi, Soneprayag and Joshimath which are short of Char Dham temples due to steep terrain and limitation of BG ruling gradients.
In order to cater to the need of tourism and to make it convenient for the pilgrims to reach the temples safely and timely, Reconnaissance Engineering Survey for connecting new BG Railway terminal stations to Dhams  is being carried out with an objective to look for suitable system which is environmental friendly, safe and at the same time a tourist attraction.
A large number of pilgrims across the country flocks to Char Dhams & large number of foreign and domestic tourist are attracted to trekking & site seeing in the state of Uttarakhand. The existing road connectivity travels through fragile mountainous slopes and suffers from serious handicaps of load, capacity, safety and speed. The Rail connectivity to these Char Dhams will make the travel much safer, economical, comfortable, environment friendly and all weather.
Ministry of Defence
e-Counselling for students seeking admission into 100 new Sainik Schools
Marching ahead with the Government’s aim of setting up 100 new Sainik Schools throughout the country, the Sainik School Society  is in the process of developing an automated system for conduct of e-Counselling. e-Counselling for admission into Sainik Schools has been introduced for the first time. It will be applicable to the new schools being set up as part of the Government’s vision to provide an opportunity for students throughout the country to move in tune with National Education Policy along with following the Sainik School curriculum.
Process
The Sainik Schools Society  will publicise widely to intimate students to apply for e-Counselling along with timelines. A link will be sent to individual applicant students securing more than qualifying marks as prescribed by SSS from time to time through email or mobile numbers. At the same time, new Sainik Schools will be provided with suitable access rights to provide category and gender-wise information as well as number of vacancies.
The students will be asked to register through the link provided at the web portal www.sainikschool.ncog.gov.in and verify their details. The students will have the option to select up to 10 schools as choice of allocation. Subsequently, the allocation of schools to the students will be carried out by the system based on their rank and choice of the schools and result will be declared through e-Counselling portal. The applicant student will be required to accept the allotment or indicate the option to be considered for Round-II of Counselling or unwillingness for further consideration. Dates for physical verification will be intimated to the students who have accepted/locked their choices.
The list of students who have locked in their choices will be visible to the new Sainik Schools also on a real-time basis for necessary updation in their databases after physical verification of the students.Besides, seats not filled after due specified date & time of Round-I will be filled through Round-II of counselling. Students who have not accepted/allotted seats in Round-I will have the option to opt for remaining seats in Round-II of e-Counselling.
Benefits
This automated system for e-Counselling will ensure complete transparency in the admission process. It will be less-expensive and user friendly for all the stakeholders- schools, students and administrative authority. It will also provide access for real-time monitoring of the entire process, and necessary action, as required at each stage.
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Ministry of Railways
Feasibility studies for some routes of Diamond Quadrilateral undertaken
Ministry of Railways has undertaken feasibility studies for some routes of Diamond Quadrilateral namely Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Kolkata, Mumbai-Chennai, Mumbai-Nagpur and Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysuru.
Further, the Survey and preparation of Detailed Project Report  for the following Seven  HSR Corridors have been undertaken :-
- Delhi-Varanasi
- Delhi- Ahmedabad
- Mumbai- Nagpur
- Mumbai- Hyderabad
- Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysore
- Delhi- Chandigarh-Amritsar
- Varanasi-Howrah
However, being highly capital intensive, the sanction of any High Speed Rail Project depends on several factors such as technical feasibility, financial viability and availability of financing options etc.
Till now, Government has sanctioned only one project of High Speed Rail, namely Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail  Project with technical and financial assistance of Government of Japan. A Special Purpose Vehicle  namely National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited  has been formed to implement this project. The present status of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail  project is as under:-
- The Final Location Survey and Geotechnical investigation completed. Alignment finalized.
- Statutory Clearances relating to wildlife, Coastal Regulation Zone  and Forest clearance obtained in Gujarat.
- Out of total land requirement of approx. 1392.6 ha, 1374.2 Ha land has been acquired.
- The entire project work has been divided into 28 Contract Packages including Training Institute at Vadodara. At present, 19 packages have been awarded, 01 is under evaluation and Notice Inviting Tender  has been published for 03 packages and for balance 5 packages NIT is yet to be published.
- Out of total 352 Km length of project located in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Civil works in 352 Km length have started in different phases from December, 2020 onwards. By the end of November 2022, out of total 352 km elevated viaduct, approx. 212.3 km of piling, 129.2 km of foundation, 113.3 km of the pier, and 14 km of the superstructure have been completed
- 1596 out of 1651 utilities have been shifted.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Tourism
Travel industry stakeholders welcome Government of India decision to reopen commercial international passengers services from today
The decision of the Government of India to reopen scheduled commercial international passengers services to / from India from 27.3.2022 , after a gap of two years, has been hailed and warmly by all the travel industry stakeholders of the country. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had suspended operations of international commercial services with effect from 23rd March 2020, with a view to prevent the spread of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Earlier, the Government of India had started granting of fresh Tourist visas to foreigners arriving on charter flights with effect from 15th October 2021.
Hailing the resumption of normal international passenger services, Shri Rajeev Mehra, President of Indian Association of Tour Operators said that this would definitely increase tourist traffic to India and from September 2022 onwards, which is the start of the next inbound tourism season, a substantial amount of the affected business is expected to be back.
Tourism sector has been one of the most adversely affected sectors by the Covid 19 pandemic, impacting livelihoods of stakeholders related to the tourism industry. The Ministry of Tourism has extended financial support in the form of credit under the Credit Garuantee Scheme at concessional rates, to tour operators, travel agents and Regional level tourist guides, approved by the Ministry of Tourism.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Provision of Cyber Services Through CSCs in Gram Panchayats
Common Services Centres  were set up under the Digital India Programme for delivery of public services, including cyber services, to every citizen. The CSC scheme envisages setting up of at-least one CSC in each of 2.50 lakh Gram Panchayats  across the country, for delivery of various Government-to-Citizen  and other citizen-centric e-Services to citizens. It is a self-sustainable entrepreneurship model which is run by Village Level Entrepreneurs .
As on June 2022, total 5,31,203 CSCs are operational across all states & Union Territories of the country, out of which, total 4,20,198 CSCs are operational at Gram Panchayat  level.
CSC 2.0 Project has the mandate to establish at least 1 CSC to cover 2.5 lakhs Gram Panchayats  across the country by March 2024. As on 30 June, 2022, 4,20,198 CSCs are functional at Gram Panchayat level.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Coal
Efforts on to Engage Reputed Mining Developers cum Operators in Coal Mines
Coal India Ltd Issues Letters of Acceptance for Nine Such Greenfield Projects
Total Fifteen Projects Having 169 Million Ton Capacity on Offer
The Ministry of Coal intent to engage reputed Mining Developers cum Operators  in coal mines, through open global tenders, and to ramp up domestic coal production and reduce import dependency to the extent possible. The contract period of engagement is for 25 years or life of mine whichever is less.
The state-owned coal miner is tracking a total of 15 greenfield projects for implementation through MDOs with an investment component to the tune of around Rs.20600 crores largely pertaining to land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement issues, and in some cases on railway sidings.
Having total rated capacity of around 169 Million Ton  eleven of the fifteen projects, are opencast and four underground mines. While the capacity of opencast projects is 165 MT, underground projects add up to the rest.
The MDOs would excavate and deliver coal to coal companies in accordance with the approved mining plan. MDOs would bring to the table mutually beneficial technology infusion, economically viable operations and increased production. Since contracts offered to them are on long-term basis, allied infrastructure at mine projects also would be developed by these private players. They shall facilitate R&R issues, land acquisition, green clearances and coordination with State and Central Pollution Boards.
Coal India Limited  has issued letters of acceptance for nine coal projects to be pursued through engagement of Mine Developer cum operator mode. Cumulatively, these projects have production capacity of close to 127 million tonne per year. Remaining six projects are at different stages of tendering.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID19 Update
No direct relation between Cases surge in Maharashtra & some other States and mutant strains N440K and E484Q: ICMR
There is no direct relation between the recent surge in COVID19 cases in Maharashtra and some other States with the mutant virus strains N440K and E484Q of COVID19. This was clarified by Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General, ICMR at the weekly Press Conference on COVID19, here today.
DG, ICMR further clarified that these two virus strains have been detected in other countries too and are not specific to India. Moreover, they have been found earlier in some States in India. The E484Q strain was earlier detected in four sequences in Maharashtra in as early as March and July 2020. The N440K mutation has been reported on 13 different occasions between May and September 2020 in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Assam. The current upsurge in Maharashtra cannot be attributed to the currently discussed point mutations.
However, the situation is being constantly monitored. As further scientific evidence emerges, it shall be duly shared.
Ministry of Finance
Borrowing options to meet the GST Compensation requirement for 2020-21
The two borrowing options to meet the GST Compensation requirement for 2020-21 consequent to the discussions in the 41stmeeting of the GST Council held on 27th August, 2020 has been communicated to States,as per the document attached with this press note, to communicate their preference within seven working days. A meeting of State Finance Secretaries with the Union Finance Secretary and Secretary  is scheduled to be held on 1st September, 2020 for clarifying issues, if any.
Please see Annexure
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar inaugurates five National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology  Centres in three North Eastern states
Says the government is committed to ensuring that they will not be merely training centres, but will be job creation centres
Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology,Skill Development and Entrepreneurship , Govt. of India Shri Rajeev Chandrashekhar inaugurated 5 National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology  Centres at a function in Churachandpur, Manipur today. The centres are at 5 locations in 3 states Imphal, Churachandpur in Manipur, Aizawl in Mizoram, Kokrajhar and Tezpur in Assam, and were linked electronically for inauguration.
Addressing the inaugural function Union Minister said that these centres are not going to be merely training centres, they are going to be centres that will skill our youths and give avenue to opportunities and jobs. He further said that India is poised to become the leading human resource provider to the world technology requirements. And NIELIT is the flag bearer of PM Modi’s vision of Empowering Youth and giving them skills to benefit themselves.
In an interaction session with the students of different centres he said he came here to have a conversation with the students about what the future holds for them if they use these NIELIT Centres in the proper manner.
M. Rameshwar Singh MLA Kakching AC, Dr. Jaideep Kumar Mishra, Director General NIELIT and Pawan Yadav DC Churachandpur were among the dignitaries present in the inaugural function.
Earlier in the day he also visited Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra , Imphal Centre and also interacted with students of the Centre.
Prime Minister's Office
PM visits Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi visited the Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu today. He also visited the Theppakadu Elephant camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve where he interacted with mahouts and kavadis and also fed the elephants. The Prime Minister also interacted with elephant keepers featured in the Oscar-winning documentary, The Elephant Whisperers.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said:
“Spent the morning at the scenic Bandipur Tiger Reserve and got a glimpse of India’s wildlife, natural beauty and diversity.”
“Some more glimpses from the Bandipur Tiger Reserve.”
“With the majestic elephants at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.”
“What a delight to meet the wonderful Bomman and Belli, along with Bommi and Raghu.”
The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted:
“PM Narendra Modi is on the way to the Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves.”
Ministry of Defence
INDIGENISATION OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION
The Government has taken several policy initiatives in the past few years under 'Make in India' program and brought in reforms to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment in the country, thereby reducing import of defence equipment. These initiatives, inter-alia, include according priority to procurement of capital items from domestic sources under Defence Acquisition Procedure -2020; Announcement of 18 major defence platforms for industry led design & development; Notification of two ‘Positive Indigenisation Lists’ of total 209 items of Services and two ‘Positive Indigenisation Lists’ of 2851 items and 107 Line Replaceable Units  of Defence Public Sector Undertakings, for which there would be an embargo on the import beyond the timelines indicated against them; Simplification of Industrial licensing process with longer validity period; Liberalisation of Foreign Direct Investment  policy allowing 74% FDI under automatic route; Simplification of Make Procedure; Launch of Innovations for Defence Excellence  scheme involving start-ups & Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ; Implementation of Public Procurement  Order 2017; Launch of an indigenization portal namely SRIJAN to facilitate indigenisation by Indian Industry including MSMEs; Reforms in Offset policy with thrust on attracting investment and Transfer of Technology for Defence manufacturing by assigning higher multipliers; and Establishment of two Defence Industrial Corridors, one each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The year-wise Value of Production of Defence and Aerospace Sector of the country for the last two financial years, is as below:
|
|
Year
|
|
Total Production

|
|
2019-20
|
|
79071
|
|
2020-21
|
|
84643
Further, 68% of the Capital acquisition budget has now been earmarked for domestic sources. To enhance functional autonomy, efficiency and unleash new growth potential and innovation in Ordnance Factories, the production units of Ordnance Factory Board have been converted into 7 Defence Public Sector Undertakings with 41 units, with effect from 1st October 2021. Further, to increase the production capacity of Light Combat Aircraft , a second plant of LCA ‘Tejas’ Division was established at Bangalore in February 2021. Moreover, 85 new defence industrial licenses to private Industries have also been issued during last two years.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Samir Oraon in Rajya Sabha on April 04, 2022.
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